Danny, Lea, and Shawn all sat at home waiting for the call from the hospital. There had been a long stiff silence for a while now.
Lea: so this is some great conversation going here
Shawn: I don't think anyone knows what to say
Lea: so Danny if you and my mom were such great friends as the yearbook and you say, how come I never heard about you?
Danny: it's complicated
Lea: that's what Rebecca's mom said about sex, yet here I am pregnant and I didn't find it that complicated. Did you Shawn?
Shawn: I think your mom is going to shoot me.
Lea: you can either tell me the story about my mom and you or I sit here and continue to talk about sex and pregnancy which was clearly thought up by a man. At least that's what my mom said.
Danny: fine, but I don't think your mom would want you to know this, or she would have told you herself.
Lea: she isn't here, is she?
Danny: so we were great friends for a while, second grade to be exact, then the end of sophomore year we began to date. Senior year, we went on a class trip to Italy and I guess it was then that we drifted…..
-FLASHBACK-
Sam walked to the building holding her camera up. Danny then walked up behind her and kissed her on the cheek. Instead of smiling and blushing she continued what she was doing.
Danny: okay what did I do this time?
Sam: nothing, sorry I just have a lot on my mind right now.
Danny: oh …. So I was thinking that for our down time we should check out some clubs.
Sam: you're not even going to ask what I have on my mind.
Danny: uh- …. ….. If you really wanted to tell me you would have.
Sam: you're right, you're right.
Danny: okay what's wrong?
Sam: nothing. I just thought… No never mind.
Danny: well how about you tell over a romantic date, just us, whatever you want.
Sam: whatever I want?
Danny: yup?
Sam: I want to have dinner, just you and me, no distractions, nothing in our way.
Danny: okay …
Paulina then swayed over and clung onto Danny's arm.
Paulina: beautiful isn't it?
Danny: yeah I guess
Sam: Paulina, do you even know the name of this building, when it was built or the purpose of it?
Paulina: I am not a retard Sam … oh don't you know?
Sam: if you are questioning my- Never mind
Right then all Sam wanted to do was lung herself at the girl and beat her face in but lately had been keeping a close eye on her and if got anymore detentions she would be saying hello to boarding school.
Paulina just smiled at Sam's daggered glare, and then pushed herself closer to Danny who was trying to get out of being in the middle of the two of them and avoid Sam being even more upset with him.
Paulina: Danny what are you doing hanging over here, my group is over there silly.
Danny: I know-I th-thought I would hang out with Sam.
Paulina: she doesn't need company, herself pity and bad taste in clothing is enough
Danny looked over at Sam waiting for her to say something or attack the girl but instead she looked at him and shook her head.
Sam: At least when I walk in a puddle I drown
Paulina: are you calling me shallow
Sam: gee what gave you that idea?
Sam then stomped away over to Tucker, who was talking to two Italian women.
Tucker: You're not supposed to be here
Sam: Calm down I'm not going to but in.
Tucker: so ladies-
Tucker turned around they were gone.
Tucker: that has happened three times today.
Sam: Kill me slowly and painfully
Tucker: what happened this time?
Sam: she is like-like a curse or something … but in her case it's bad pimple you can't pop or get rid of, no madder how hard you squeeze.
Tucker: is it really her you're mad at?
Sam: yes! …. No …. Maybe … I'm always mad at her, but I guess I really mad at-
Tucker: Danny, because he gets all the attention and-
Sam: and because every person with hormones is after him, throwing me aside like-like last week's news.
Tucker: Have you told him this?
Sam: no
Tucker: does he know you feel like this
Sam: no, but if he did he would just laugh
Tucker: how would you know...?
Sam: like he would even listen, it's all in one ear and out the other because I don't have my brain in my boobs.
Tucker: hehe
Sam then punched his arm.
Tucker: ow!
Sam: it's your own fault
Sam sat in the restaurant waiting, she checked her watch and look around. The hostess approached her.
Hostess: Miss, are you ready to be seated now?
Sam: um, you can cancel my reservation
Hostess: Maybe he just got caught up
Sam: yeah, probably …. Well I'm used to it.
Sam walked down the sidewalk sadly. All around her were people in love and caught in the beautiful moment, and scenery. She could hear her name being called but she didn't turn around till someone caught her arm. She saw Danny panting and looking at her confused.
Danny: didn't you hear me? I was calling for you.
Sam: sorry
Danny: what's wrong, I thought we had a date
Sam: well I just thought you know, you got busy again
Danny: Well I'm here now
Sam: you know I am not even worried anymore.
Danny: what? Why are you mad at me?
Sam: I'm not mad … I just … I've done some thinking.
Danny: about what?
Sam: you are always late to our dates …
Danny: Sam, it's not like I can help it … I mean-
Sam: that's just it, you have the perfect excuse … I would never know if you ever cheated on me because you have the perfect excuse, that I just have to accept and cannot question. I want to trust you and I do trust you …. It's just ….
Danny: wait … I'm confused-what are you talking about?
Sam: You've had a crush on her since forever and you want me to just play dumb and pretend that you're not thinking about dating her now that you can have her
Danny: Sam, I would never … I love you.
Sam: Danny, why were you late?
Danny: you want the truth
Sam: yes
Danny: I was with Paulina but its not-
Sam then began to walk away not wanting to hear it anymore and not wanting to cry in front of him.
Danny: Just listen to me! Alright?
Sam: why should I … why do I need to hear more. Either way I know she kissed you and flirted with you and before it got out of control you just went along with it, like you have been, just acting like it's normal and nothing is different. Expect the problem is everything is different. I know I am being a stupid whinny jealous bitch, but I have been trying to tell you something really important, but every time I try to talk you about it, a ghost comes, or she hangs on you, or something distracts you and what I say goes in one ear and other the other. I feel like what I have to say doesn't matter. I am also sick of not being my own person …. I am now known as your girlfriend …. I guess that is a hell of a lot better than Goth geek, Goth Freak, Goth girl … but at least then I knew I was someone and not just a girl who is dating a hero. Yes I knew this was going to happen, but I'm still my own person-
Danny: wait what have you been trying to tell me? Huh …. Because you haven't exactly come out told me. Maybe you've dropped hints but hints aren't telling me
Sam: I got accepted into Yale …. And I want to go
Danny stood there shocked for a second.
Danny: but I thought we agreed to go to the University of Dc?
Sam: I know, but I didn't think I would get into Yale, and …. -come on you know we couldn't have stayed together forever.
Danny: why? What would stop us?
Sam: Everything …. We know it's not just us in this world. There are other guys I am going to meet and there are plenty and prettier girls out there-
Danny: what are you saying that there are better men out there for you to date?
Sam: no, I am saying that there are better women out there you can date
Danny: so you date other men?
Sam: (Groan) I don't like when we do this
Danny: I don't either.
Sam: And I'm sick of it.
Danny: Well, so am I.
Sam: We can't keep getting this close just to have something completely derail us again. And frankly there's only one thing I can think of that could solve it. …. ….. Break up.
Sam almost chocked on her words, it was a hit in the stomach but it was the right thing to do and had to be done, she couldn't keep being so jealous and worried.
Danny: Ugh.
Sam: Well, I'm not interested in a murder-suicide kind of thing. .
Danny: We should get married.
Sam was taken back, she couldn't tell if he was kidding or not, he said it so causally.
Sam: Give me a clue as to whether you're kidding or not.
Danny: I am not kidding.
Sam: Good clue.
Danny: What do you say?
Sam: No. Danny, you did not just propose to me.
Danny: Yes I did.
Sam: No. A proposal had to be something more than the desperate desire to end a bickering match.
Danny: It was more than that.
Sam: No it wasn't, it has to be planned. It should be magical. There should be music playing and romantic lighting and a subtle buildup to the popping of the big question. There should be a thousand yellow daisies and candles and a horse and I don't know what the horse is doing there unless you're riding it, which seems a little over the top, but it should be more than this.
Danny: No …. Let's get married. You can still go to Yale, I'll go to the university of Dc and-and we don't have to worry about other people -
Sam: it doesn't work like that.
Danny: we don't even have to get married until after college if you want.
Sam: Danny, we can't get married, we aren't going to get married.
Danny: why not?
Sam: because it's not as easy as that
Danny: yes it is. I know I love you …. I know I want to marry you.
Sam: how can you know if you have never been with someone else?
Danny: wait … are you saying you don't love me?
Sam: no I love you; I love you like crazy … just how do you know … it's this love you're supposed to be with
Danny: so this is it … you're just going to give up when things get ruff?
Sam: we don't have to break up right away, or even say it we just … we just have to leave the option to date other people when we get into college …
Danny: no I think I get exactly what you want. I'll make it easy for you …. We're broken up.
Danny then stormed away, leaving Sam in tears. Right there her heart was shattered and broken, but maybe this was the best thing, it just didn't go the way she had hoped.
TWO WEEKS LATER - SCHOOL
Once back at school nothing was the same. Danny did end up hooking up with Paulina and he and Sam never spoke. They stopped sitting together at lunch and Sam grew very distant from him. Both of them never wanted this, and when Danny was finally going to try to fix things he found out Sam was dating someone else.
The class sat in the auditorium waiting to get their roles for Romeo and Juliet. This was their final assignment and everyone wanted a good grade so they could end out the year in their best grade.
Lancer: Paulina will be Lady Capulet, Star will be the nurse, Kwan will be Lord Montague, Dash will be Tybalt, Tucker will be Friar Laurence, Samantha will be Juliet, Daniel will be Romeo-
Both of the two hands shot up.
Mr. Lancer: yes what is it Miss. I have an opinion about everything.
Sam: I would not like to participate in this play.
Mr. Lancer: You have no choice, but please entertain me and tell me why.
Sam: I would like to argue that the blame for the family feud lies in Verona's patriarchal society. In this view, the strict, masculine code of violence imposed on Romeo is the main force driving the tragedy to its end. When Tybalt kills Mercutio, for example, Romeo shifts into this violent mode, regretting that Juliet has made him so "effeminate". In this view, the younger males "become men" by engaging in violence on behalf of their fathers, or in the case of the servants, their masters. The feud is also linked to male virility, as the numerous jokes about maidenheads aptly demonstrate. Juliet also submits to a female code of docility by allowing others, such as the Friar, to solve her problems for her.
Mr. Lancer: remember Miss. Manson to look at the play's feminism from a more historicist angle. Take into account the fact that the play is written during a time when the patriarchal order was being challenged by several forces, most notably the rise of Puritanism. When Juliet dodges her father's attempt to force her to marry a man she has no feeling for, she is successfully challenging the patriarchal order in a way that would not have been possible at an earlier time. Very good argument Miss. Manson, but you will be doing this play.
Danny then raised his hand again.
Mr. Lancer: yes?
Danny: I would like to ask for a switch in roles. I rather play Paris.
Mr. Lancer: why?
Danny: I don't know … I guess because I can relate to the character
Mr. Lancer: how is that?
Danny: because he loves a woman, and wants to be with her, but she has no passion or love in return for him even though he has done nothing for him to earn that.
The rage and emotion then build up inside Sam, even after he completely killed her heart he was still stomping on it.
Sam: so you actually read the play
Danny: I am not stupid, even though you think I am.
Sam: then why do you always complain about not getting it?
Danny: well at least I don't have to make people feel stupid or call them that. At least I don't tear them down and argue about everything.
Sam then got up not willing to hear any more. Mr. Lancer opened his mouth to say something, but Sam spoke before him.
Sam: I'll be at detention.
-End Flashback-
Lea: wait so that was it … that was your big argument.
Danny: Well, no we fought here and there after that, until we finally just stopped speaking to one another.
Shawn: I'm sorry, but it doesn't seem like you two were in love.
Lea: Shawn, he hasn't told that part because I asked how it ended, Okay fine you fought some more, get to the good part.
Danny: nothing else really went with it
Lea: look there is no possible way that you two just went off to college after that, something else something big happened.
Danny: how is that?
Lea: because she wouldn't have made such a big deal about you … and calling you and looking at her yearbook and getting nervous and oh my god-
Shawn: what?
Lea rolled her eyes and leaned over and whispered something in his ear.
Shawn: you gotta be kidding me.
Danny just shrugged and got up wondering how he even gets himself in these situations. Lea then got up and walked after him.
Lea: wait …. Was this after you broke up
Danny: I think you should be talking to your mom about this. I've said too much already.
Lea: no it's just getting good. … Please?
Danny: well there really is nothing … she showed up at a party said goodbye to my best friend and never said anything to me, so I went to her and she was gone the next morning anyway. … She just left anyway.
Lea: but that doesn't make sense my mother loves you …I know she does because she always finds a reason to break up with any guy if she even goes out with one, and then you come along and she acts totally different.
Danny: let me know when you figure it out, because I still haven't.
